Gazprom: Safe operation of Nord Stream cannot be ensured

Moscow, Jul 13 (EFE).- Russia’s state-owned Gazprom said Wednesday the safe operation of the Nord Stream pipeline, which transports gas to Germany, could not be guaranteed due to doubts around the turbine retained in Canada.

“Gazprom does not have a single document that allows Siemens to bring back a gas turbine engine from Canada,” Gazprom said in a statement.

“In these circumstances, it is not possible to draw an objective conclusion about the development of the situation and ensuring the safe operation of the Portovaya station — a critical facility for the Nord Stream gas pipeline,” it added.

Siemens sent the turbine to its plant in Canada for technical checks but could not be returned to Russia because of sanctions.

Ottawa agreed to ship the Nord Stream turbine to Germany instead of dispatching it directly to Russia.

The piece will be airlifted to Germany and then flown “as soon as possible” to the compression station near St. Petersburg, according to German media.

The gas pipeline, which runs through the Baltic Sea, is Germany’s main source of Russian gas. EFE

mos/ta/mp